As Leinster charge into the business end of the URC season, much intrigue remains over which of their four talented outhalves might leave the club next season.
While Leinster are blessed with an embarrassment of riches at the #10 position, both Connacht and Ulster are in need of cover at outhalf.
Leinster's phenom Sam Prendergast had been linked with a loan move to join his brother Cian in Galway next summer - however, that transfer was quashed in the wake on Leinster's heartbreaking defeat in the Champions Cup final.
Prendergast, it seems, will be fast-tracked into the Leinster team, possibly at the expense of one of the Byrne brothers or Ciarán Frawley. (During the week Bernard Jackman told RTÉ Harry Byrne is the most likely outhalf to leave the club, if one does.)
The young Kildare man flashed his potential in a start against Connacht last weekend, and he made a star cameo appearance at the Aviva today, as Leinster defeated Ulster 43-20.
Prendergast chipped over the Ulster defensive line before chipping a second time over full back Stewart Moore and watched his kick land perfectly in the hands of teammate Max Deegan.
It was an outrageous piece of skill.
As was noted on geoblocked Premier Sports co-commentary, the play was very reminiscent of a memorable Brian O'Driscoll try v Wasps in 2008. All that was missing was the try.
The reaction of the Leinster bench said it all. James Lowe was gobsmacked.
Prendergast has a long way to go in his development but he clearly possesses a kind of genius that few players have. It will be fascinating to see how Leinster nurture that over the coming seasons. It will also be interesting to see if he's named in the 23 next week where the pressure will be considerably higher.
Leinster march on
The first quarter of the game was tight and scoreless, but once Leinster broke the deadlock with a 20th minute Robbie Henshaw, the floodgates slowly opened.
For Leinster, the victory means they will travel to South Africa next week to take on the Bulls.
Speaking to TG4 after the game, player of the match Joe McCarthy was full of praise for Ulster.
"They're very solid players. It wasn't easy."
He also said Leinster will relish the opportunity to play the Bulls on South African soil.
"We've had home fixtures before. It doesn't guarantee anything. We'll enjoy the week...looking forward to it."
SEE ALSO: South Africa Star Wonders If Andy Farrell's Englishness Is A Hindrance For Ireland
